Automatic drifting-valve for steam-chests.



Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

2 SHEETS-81111131.

W. A. BUCK'BEE. AUTOMATIC DRIFTING VALVE FOR STEAM CHESTS. APPLICATION FILED DEC. so, 1012.

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in il ri WITNESSES W. A. BUCKBEE. AUTOMATIQ DRIFTING VALVE FOR STEAM CHESTS. APPLICATION TILED DEC. 30, 1912. 1, 1 1 6,380. Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wlmesss's mmvro/r ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. BUCKBEE, 0F SLINGERLANDS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, T0 LOCOMOTIVE SUPERHEATER COMPANY, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE,

' A. CORPORATION OF DELAWKRE.

AUTOMATIC DRIFTING-VALVE FOR STEAM-CHESTS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 10. 1914.

Application filed December 30, 1912. Serial No. 739,269.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVlLLIAM A. BUCK- mm, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Slingerlands, countv of Rensselaer, State of New York, have'invented certain. new and useful Improvements in Automatic Drifting-Valves for Steam-Chests, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to automatic drifting valves for steam chests, and is particularly useful ill/(30111160111011 withstean locomotives.

In the operation of steam, locomotives, the

same will usually run for a considerable distance after the steam is entirely out 01f. In running down grade also, it is often desirable, for economical running, to shut off the steam. In both these cases it is, of course, necessary to continue the lubrication. It has been found that the lubricant is very apt to Carbonize in such cases as soon as the steam is entirely out of the cylinders, probably on account of the consequent dryness and high temperature of the parts. This is particularly true when using superheated steam in locomotives, as the temperature of the parts is then extremely high. It has also been found that, if a small quantity of steam, not suliicient to exercise any appreciable driving force, be admitted into the cy1- inder under these circumstances that a great part of this carbonization is prevented.

It is'the object of my invention to provide a means by which the small. quantity of steam necessary to' prevent carbonization may be automatically admitted into the cylinder when the main steam supply is cut ofl.

, A further object of my'invention is to so construct said means that the desired small supply of steam may be automatically admitted whenever the pressure in the steam chest falls below a certain predetermined limit, and to further arrange that this predetermined limit may be set at any desired value.

My invention will be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section through a preferred form of my i1nproved valve; Fig. 9 represents a transverse section along the" line 2--2 of 1 1g. 1; Fig. 3 represents a view, similar to Fig. 1, showing the position of the valve when the auxiliary steam supply is cut off; Fig. 4 represents an end elevation, taken from the left. ofthe valve as shown inFigs. 1 and 2; Fig. 5 represents a central vertical through a modification of my invention, the valve being shown in open .iosition; Fig. (i represents a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the valve in closed position; and Fig. 7 represents a view, similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of the valve of Figs. 1 to 1.

I In the drawings and referring particu larly to Figs. 1 to 1, a valve casing 1 is attached to the top of the steam chest (not shown) by a base 2. The valve" casing contains a cylindrical horizontal valve chamber 3, closed at each end by caps *1; below this valve chamber is a steam chamber 1' opening at the bottom directly into the steam chest. In this valve chamber is fitted a slidablo hollow valve member 5, closed at one end by a removable threaded cap 6, and

adapted to have a convenient linear range of movement in said chamber. Any rotation of the valve member is prevented by the pin ,6 which is set into one of the caps *1 and slidably engaged with a suitable recess provided in one end of said valve member.

A peripheral series of spaced holes 7 is drilled through the wall of the valve member near one end thereof, and just above these holes, when the valve member is at the right hand limit of its movement, is the inlet opening? of a steam pipe 8, preferably connected directly to the boiler; these holes 7 are joined on the outside of the valve members by a peripheral groove. To the left of pipe 8 is the inlet opening 8 of'a secondary inlet pipe 9 which may be cbnnected to the same steam source as pipe 8 or to any point of pipe 8 before it reaches the inlet opening 7, and a peripheral groove 10 is formed in the valve member to the left of the series of holes 7, the width of said groove and its location being such that the inlet opening 8 of pipe 9 opens into the groove whether the valve member be at the left hand or right hand limit of its movement. The diameter of the valve member at the left of said groove is somewhat less than that at the right thereof and the diameters of the corresponding parts of the valve chambers arc correspondingly different. The effective area of the groove, therefore, upon which the steam may act to move the valve section" members to the righti is greater than the fective area upon which the steam may act to move said members to the left.

A port 11 in line with the lowermost-hole -7, when the valve member is at the right.

hand limit ofits. movement, connects the valve chamber 3 with the steam chamber 4. Another" port 12 opens from the top of the steam chamber at its'right hand end into the extreme end of the valve chamber.

A vent hole-12 zin line vertically with pipe 7 9 opensfrom the valve chamber 3 into the steam chamber and a similar vent hole 13 opens through the left hand cap 4 to the "is atmosphere.

, llaitchbap '4: has iis innrrsurface; the-valve member 5 is also provided with bosses which, as said member J I.l ,nled to either end of the valve chamber, abutiagainst the cap bosses so that a certain amount of freespace-is provided between cap",

' the valve member and the inner side of the valve member beyond holes-7.

A pipe: 16 opensinto the valve chamber 3 on one .side thereof directlyin line-with the rowwof, holes 7; this pipesconnects to a whjstleor Othersuitab-lesignal device (not ea Apre'ssure will. thus be exerted, tending to shift the valve member to the left, and this" pressure will be opposed by the pressure of steam through pipe 9 actingon the much smaller differential. area of groovelO. The

-";- Valve member will therefore be kept in its extreme left hand position since the steam pressure supplied from pipe 8, and that fromthe steam chest through port 11 will the valve member, will become less untilneutralizeone another. Suppose now, that the main steam supply isshut' ofi' from the steam chest, or that it is cut down so that the pressure therein is reduced to less than a certain predetermined amount; In such case the pressure in steam chamber 4, and hence in the space at the right hand end'of finally it will be overcome by the pressure i due to the steam supplied from pipe 9 actingupon the differential area of groove 10, and the valve member will move to the extremeright. This willpermit steam from 'pipe ;8 to pass, bygaidcf holes? and the groove connecting them. into the interior thefvalve member, and b L 1 the; steam chest,

bosses 1 L projecting from;

Eackingijrings are provided-on each side;o'f groove 10, and atthe end of the cient to moisten the lubricant. Should the steam thus introduced into the steam chest,

. become sufliciently great in pressure at any time to rise above the predetermined limit, the eifect of said steam acting through port 12 upon the end of the valve will again overcome that due to the steam'from"-pipe 9 acting upon the differential area of groove. 10 and shift the valve member to the left. The valvemember will, therefore, constantly drift back and forth so asto automatically maintain the volume of steam and steam pressure in the steam chest at the desired l1m1t., 1

The vent hole 13, by permitting air to be slowly drawn into or forced'out of the valve chamber, causes the valvelmember 5 to play? back and forth with a certain cushioning effect. The vent hole-12; permits any condensed steam to pass oil into the steam chest. The inlet opening 7" from pipe '8 is en larged toward the left end of the valve 'cas-' ing' so that steam from -pipe-'8 may always I enterthrough holes '7- into the interior of the valve member whether said member beat the right or left end of the valve chamberl Steam is shut ofi from the steamfchamber 4, when the valve -member isyat="the left' hand limitzo'f its movement because the end most packing ring 15 will thencoverport '11. Live steam thus-always fills the interior of the valve membersubjecting' it to balanced outward radial pressures and avoiding the compression Z? of the valve memberand consequent friction-which would be pro duced were steam to be shut off both at port '11 and inlet'opening '7'.

Referring to the modified form of myinvention shown in Figs. 5 and'6, the valve casing 1 is closed at the top by a screw cap16. The cylindrical valve chamber'is arranged vertically instead of liorizontallyas inFigs. 1 to 4, and comprises anupper space 17, lower space 18 and an intermediate connecting space. The valve .member is provided with one part 19 of relatively small diameter which slides inthe intermediate space of the valve chamber, and another part 20'of relatively large diameter which slides in the lower space 18. Packing rings 15 insure tight joints. Shallow radial grooves are cut at 20. in the bottom surface of part 20 of the a the bottom thereof. a conical boss 21' adapted to engage with and close a corresponding seat at the top of the part 19 ofthe hollow valve member. A vent 22 opens from the topof valve chamber-'18 to the atmosphere:

An opening 23 is intendedto receive a steam P p i wfi wwfllleading direct to the steam 1 supply. lfflggithjS form of. my in- Hit vention, the position of the parts, if the engineis runningidle, is as shown in Fig. 5, with the valve member in its lowermost position. In this position, steam from the boiler passes through opening 23 into space 17 through and down the hollow valve memher into the steam chest. Should, at any time, the steam pressure in the steam chest rii above a certain value, steam will pass through the grooves at 20' into the space 21, and owing to the larger effective area here afforded for the action of the steam pressure then is afforded at the top of the valve member to the action of the steam entering at openin :23 the valve member will be raised and seat itself upon the boss 21 steam from opening 23 will then be cut off. The valve member in this modification will drift up-and down according to the variation of pressure in the steam chest just as has been explained above for the valve member of the form shown in Figs. 1-4.

' "By regulating the relative effective areas afforded by the groove 10 and at the end of valve member 5 in the form illustrated in Figs land those afforded respectively at the. top and bottom of the valve member in the form shown in Figs. 5 and 6 my improved drifting valve may be made to operate at substantially any desired pressure in the steam chest less than that of the main steam supply. I

Instead of providing that my valve shall introduce steam into the cylinder by way of t'fhe'steam chest I may, if I prefer, introduce said steam directly into said cylinder. This arrangementtis shown in Fig. 7 where a valve (of the same general type as that of Figs. L4) has its steam chamber t closed below and connected to the cylinder by a pipe 24. Steam is admitted to the end of the valve chamber through pipe connected with and opening from the steam chest instead of by a special port 12 connected with the valve chamber (as in Figs. 1 This enables me to place the valve in a position more or less remote from the steam chest and cylinder should such arrangement prove convenient. By this arrangement, also I may bifurcate pipe 2 t and lead a branch to each end of the cylinder thus making it impossible for the engine to be started up by steam through the valve when the throttle is entirely cut off and the engine standing idle.

Variations of detail may be made within the scope of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof and I therefore make the following claims:

1. In a drifting valve, a valve casing adapted to be connected to a steam chest and to receive steam therefrom and provided with an opening adaptedto receive .steam from an independent source, and a'valve a'iember in said casing adapted tobe acted upon by steam from said sources so as to open or'close conununication between them, said valve memberbeing provided with oppositely effective unequal pressure areas the pressure area acting to close the valve being greater than that acting to open the same.

2. In a drifting valve, a valve casing adapted to be connected to a steam chest so as to communicate therewith said casing being provided with a valve chamber, a valve member movable in said chamber provided with oppositely effective unequal pressure areas, means for bringing steam from an independent source to act upon the smaller pressure area, and means for moving said valve member when the pressure upon the larger pressure area exceeds a certain predetermined value so as to shut off the steam from the independent source.

3. In a drifting valve, a valve casing adapted to be connected to a steam chest, said casing being provided with a valve chamber which communicates with said steam chest and also has an opening for receiving steam from an independent source, and a slidable hollow valve member in said valve chamber provided with two oppositely effective pressure areas and adapted to cut otl communication between the two steam sources when at one limit of its movement, the pressure from the independent source alone acting upon the smaller pressure area at such times and that from the steam chest upon the larger pressure area.

4. In a drifting valve, a valve casing adapted to be connected to a steam chest and having a steam chamber communicating therewith said casing being further provided with a cylindrical valve chamber having two ports one from the end of the chamber, opening therefrom into the steam chamber and two inlets for receiving steam from an independent steam supply, and a slidable hollow valve member in said chamber provided with openings which are in alinement with one of said ports and one of said inlets when the valve member is at one of its limiting positions but are in alinement only with said inlet when in its other limiting position and provided also with a peripheral groove registering with the other of said inlets for all positions of the valve member.

In a drifting valve, a valve casing adapted to be connected to a steam chest and to receive steam therefrom and provided with an opening adapted to receive steam from an independent source, a valve member in said casing adapted to be acted upon by steam from said sources so as to open or close communication between said sources, and means for giving a signal in the engine cab when said communication is open.

(3. In a drifting valve appliance for locomotives, the combination of a passage estabiii;

boiler and a distribution valve chest, independently of the main steam supply pipe, a valve controlling sa d passage, and anaut'oinatically actuated differential piston mechanism for efiecting the opemng'and closure of said valve.

7. In adrifting valve appliance for locoinotives, 'the conibination'of a differential, pistonniechamsin controlling the supply ofsteam from a boiler, to a distribution valve chest, a continuously open passage between said valve chest and the opposite valve chest of the locomotive, and means for automatically actuating the differential piston mechanism of differences of pressure in the dis tribution valve chest and in the boiler, and

atinosp'neric pressure.

9. In a drifting valve appliance for locomotives, the combination of a valve casing, differentlal pistons fitted to reciprocate therein, a valve actuated by said pistons and controlling steam supply =to a distribution ously open communicating passage between the larger piston and adistributionvalve chest, and a continuously-open passage be.-- tween the smaller piston and'the ati'nospherel 10. 111 a drifting valve mechanism f for locomotives, the combination of a casing having connections for pipes leading to the steam space of a locomotive boiler; and to 'loconiotive cylinders, respectively, and a exposed, to atmospheric pressure" on its 019- poslte side.

locomotives, the combination of a :casing having'oonnec'tions for. pipes leading to the steam connection throughout an area-sub-I from the cylinder connection. 1 ,7

I In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence'of two subscribing witnesses.

. 'VVitnessqs: I HARRY L. SHAvER,

. CHARLES .A. I 1 SAnLn I valve chest, a steam supplyjpipe leadingiinto said casing between the pistons, a contmu- 11, In a V drifting valvii mecha nis rn for I steam space of a locomotive boiler and to locomotive cylinders, respectively, and a valve seating on the cylinder connection and exposed, on its opposite side, toatmosphericpressure and also to pressure from the boiler WILIIiIAM vA. -BUCKB EEi .valve seating on vthe cylinder connection and f stantially less than that exposed to pressure 

